Katy Perry delivered a defiant speech while accepting the MTV Video Vanguard Award at the 2024 VMAs, telling her opponents to “touch the grass” and that there are “no decades-old accidents.”

“I get excited when I look around in the music world today and see all these amazing young artists performing with confidence, agency, vulnerability, and authenticity,” she said after her epic performance. “I’ve heard a lot of people say, do this, don’t say that, wear less, wear more now, hey. Don’t cut your hair. One of the biggest reasons I’m standing here right now is because I’ve learned how to block out all the noise that every artist in this industry has to fight against, especially women. I want to say with all my heart, do whatever it takes to stay true to yourself and true to your art. Turn off social media, protect your sanity. Take a break. Touch grass. And do what you were born to do, just like I was born to do.”

More from Variety

The impassioned speech came after a medley of some of her biggest hits, along with songs from her upcoming album “143,” out Sept. 20. The performance, introduced by her husband Orlando Bloom, was a victory lap of sorts, with Perry floating above her backup dancers and bringing out Doechii as a special guest.

The speech itself began with Perry asking the audience if they could believe she had performed the performance “on the first day of my period.” She then referred to her legacy since making her mainstream debut with 2008’s “One of the Boys,” and that “there are so many things that have to align to have a long and successful career as an artist.”

After thanking her team, family, Katy Cats, and the LGBTQ+ community, she shouted out Bloom for “doing the dishes” — a nod to a viral line from a recent interview in which she said she would reward a man with sexual favors for doing the daily chore — as well as her daughter Daisy.

Of the songs Perry played, he named “ET,” “California Gurls” and “I Kissed a Girl,” as well as the new songs “Lifetimes” and “I’m His, He’s Mine.” The latter song, featuring Doechii, is out Friday.

Best of the variety

Sign up for the Variety newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest news.